Kerry Nettle (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 127 standing in my name by adding Senator Bartlett’s name to the motion and to ensure that the end of the motion reads ‘that the Senate expresses its support for an end to the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China.’

Leave granted.

I, and also on behalf of Senator Bartlett, move the motion as amended:

That the Senate—

(a)

notes that:

(i)

the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights applies to the treatment of Falun Gong Practitioners worldwide, and

(ii)

the practise of religion should not form the basis of the incarceration of any individual;

(b)

appreciates the commitment by the Prime Minister (Mr Rudd) to being a zhengyou, or a ‘true friend’, to the Chinese leadership and his willingness to raise challenging human rights issues; and

(c)

expresses its support for an end to the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China.

Question agreed to.